Portugal’s Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion, Castro Almeida, has publicly praised Prime Minister Luís Montenegro for resisting pressure from the Chega party regarding a proposed reduction in the retirement age. Almeida stated that Montenegro did not yield to what he termed a “carrot” offered by Chega in exchange for support on the issue. The minister expressed concerns about the reliability of the right-wing Chega party, suggesting a lack of trustworthiness in their political maneuvering. This resistance marks a significant moment as Montenegro leads a minority government reliant on occasional support from opposition parties. The debate centers on lowering the retirement age, a key policy objective for Chega. Almeida’s comments underscore the delicate balance Montenegro must maintain to govern effectively while navigating demands from various political factions. The situation highlights ongoing tensions within Portuguese politics regarding social security and coalition building.